Hi,
I have a question concerning return to work following 16 week maternity leave. I am a full time employee at a great place with a interesting job. I already have 2 fab bilingual children and a husband who travels extensively for work. I am expecting my third child, and I am wondering how I am going to stop my life going from slightly mad!! at the moment, to stark raving crazy, if I am required to return to work 4 months after the birth of my new baby.
Ideally I would like to take 12 months leave (so the 4 months paid that I am entitled to with my employer) and 8 months leave without pay. From previous experience... life seems to calm dramatically after the new baby is eating on their own
My question is...Has anyone requested an extended period of unpaid leave, and if I place a request for 8 month of unpaid leave, will this seem excessive? I have a few departmental colleagues who all have returned to work following 4 months maternity leave (and been happy to do so)

I enjoy my job and am very happy with the renumeration, so, although quitting is an option, I would really like to avoid this. Any shared experiences would be really helpful.

Sounds like you need to have a chat with your boss... Only when there is a definite no or yes to the question as to whether your extended leave is allowed or not could we perhaps debate or assist ?

I work in the headquarters of an international company in Zurich. A girl in my team started her maternity leave back in September and is currently having discussions about when to return to work. My understanding is that they are open to the option of unpaid leave. I am also expecting a baby in March, and I met with HR to discuss my options last week. I am able to take unpaid leave if I want to, but have to agree it with my manager. I guess this is something discretionary that varies from one company to another? My company seems to be flexible, but maybe because it is international, and my boss is British?

Hi, not sure if anyone is still following this- I have a similar problem- I would like to take one additional month of leave of absence after the 4 month maternity leave and then come back 100%. My boss agreed to it however today I received the contract from HR and it states: "we cannot guarantee your job after your leave of absence. In case the company cannot offer you a job after the end of your leave your work contract will end after a three month notice period". Is that really legal?

Yes they dont have to offe you your job back if you take additional unpaid maternity leave, but usually you can agree something with your boss, but they are under no legal obligation so have to point that out to you, after all they are probably having to take someone else on as a temp to do yoir work during your maternoty leave at great cost and inconvenience.

too bad- thanks!

Hi,
I took 2 months unpaid after the 16 weeks.I had the discussion with my boss and HR , I also had an option not to work 100% after the leave.You can try to ask for this if the extension will not be possible, then atleast you can work 2 to 3 days a week instead.